Global InformationBabisnau poplar information
| Babisnau poplar | |
|---|---|
 Babisnau poplar with oak, Kreischa municipality, Saxon Switzerland-Eastern Ore Mountains district | |
 | |
| Species | Black poplar (Populus nigra) |
| Location | Babisnau, Saxony, Germany |
| Coordinates | 50°58′27″N 13°44′59″E / 50.97417°N 13.74972°E |
| Height | 330 m |
50°58′27″N 13°44′59″E / 50.97417°N 13.74972°E
The Babisnau poplar (German: Babisnauer Pappel) is a black poplar (Populus nigra) located near Babisnau, a district of the municipality of Kreischa in Saxony in Germany. It stands prominently on a plateau south of Dresden. It was planted in 1808 by Johann Gottlieb Becke, a landowner from Babisnau, as a border tree marking the boundary of his property. This tree has held the status of a natural monument since 1936. Over the years, it has endured significant crown damage due to strong storms in 1967 and 1996. The poplar currently stands at a height of 17.3 meters with a trunk circumference of 5.1 meters.
This tree is a popular excursion spot due to its panoramic views of the surrounding area, including the city of Dresden. During the German War in 1866, the poplar was used as a lookout point with a temporary observation scaffold. A permanent lookout scaffold was built next to the tree in 1885 and later renovated in 1922, 1963, and 1999. Since 1993, the Babisnau poplar has been vegetatively propagated on multiple occasions. According to local legend, the poplar's blossoming, which does not occur every year, is a sign of an impending end to a war. The Wendelauf, a popular race that circles the poplar, takes place twice a year.